Surviving the Game as a Barbarian – 430



Episode 430: Return of the Lion (1)

After some time the story is over.

I borrowed a dagger from Amelia and cut open the dragon slayer’s stomach.

Seuuuuu-.

A belly that appears as if it has been cut with a surgical scalpel.

After completing the laparotomy the heart was taken out calmly.

Perhaps because it was so cold it was still fresh.

‘A dragon’s heart looks different from an ordinary person’s.’

Should I say that it looks like a tropical fruit with a smooth exterior?

There are also marks that look like chain marks for some reason.

As I was looking at it curiously Ravien who was watching me suddenly said.

“The chain marks are probably traces of the curse placed by the pen.”

Um really?

Anyway so the thing about being bumpy is like that from the beginning?

“I would like the Gowland Preservation Magic and Distortion Magic.”

Afterwards a distortion spell was applied to the extracted heart and it was placed in a suitable box and stored. Ravi Yan seemed like he wanted to manage it himself but….

“I’m going to keep this for a while.”

“…Why?”

“Because it is a means of negotiation.”

“Couldn’t it be… you’re not going to bring it to me right away?”

“Yes after the situation calms down a bit I will meet with the Great Ancient Dragon of the time in person and hand it over after being promised secrets. “It would be troublesome if the story about this guy’s heart spreads.”

I was a little worried but surprisingly Ravien was easily convinced.

“…all right. You’ll get a lot more for what you give back than what I take back. Of course I feel a little sorry for Pen but I won’t have to wait that long…”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Okay then this is the end of this problem.

After the heart rooting was completed a funeral was held.

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There was no priest left to preside over the funeral but as we saw back then the dead members were cremated in silence.

and….

Rattling.

It ends with putting the bone fragments in a box.

After that I started general rooting.

The Rose Knights and Noark’s elite.

And the equipment of our dead allies….

“We take care of all the crew’s equipment. “You can’t use the extra space so cram it into your bag as much as possible.”

Anyway collect all of the friendly equipment that will become keepsakes.

“Since we don’t have enough space we will only choose the valuable items from Noark’s equipment.”

I decided to bring a reasonable amount of Noark equipment.

You killed a lot of Noark guys before you got to the Glacier Eye right? That trophy lies dormant in our subspace. Even if you ask the source there is no way to tell whether it was obtained at that time or not.

Unlike the Rose Knights.

“Collect the Rose Knight’s items separately. “They must be strictly managed.”

The equipment and consumables they have are mostly military supplies.

Therefore selling and actual use are limited.

As soon as these items are released on the market won’t the news reach the royal family?

‘No my plan will go awry if I just go through my pockets and say that I will settle the loot as soon as I return.’

It’s not 100% but there is risk.

“First of all military funds have definitely been earned….”

Kaislan a former soldier seemed somewhat satisfied with the increased budget for the group.

Well it was a bit funny how my eyes got red at the thought of my dead comrades.

It’s not some kind of bipolar disorder.

“Yandel don’t feel too guilty. All you have to do is make their wishes come true.”

“What are you saying? “I just got a runny nose because I was cold.”

After another thought… a different thought….

He suddenly stopped took a step forward and headed towards the place where the bodies and equipment of the Rose Knights were gathered. I don’t plan on taking even a single thing but…

‘Isn’t it enough to see what you have?’

I thoroughly searched their belongings thinking that something that could be a weakness for the royal family or important information might come out of their bodies.

The more I looked the more my stomach hurt.

‘Wow all the daggers are Mystic. All leather products are ogre leather….’

Should I just leave this behind?

Can’t you hide it well somehow take it melt it cut it up and replace it with new equipment?

That kind of greed creeps up on me.

but….

“Let’s give up. “This is.”

Even a 1% risk is unacceptable.

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You can make the excuse that you got the dragon slayer’s heart during a chase in the snow of the glacier but this isn’t it—.

“…huh?”

As I was rummaging through the corpses of the Rose Knights I soon tilted my head.

‘What are these rings?’

The rings of the same shape on the middle fingers of the knights caught my eye.

‘Are they… wearing rings?’

I look back on my memory but it doesn’t seem to be true.

When she fought this woman named Six she wasn’t wearing this ring.

But…

‘what?’

As soon as I felt suspicious I immediately removed all the rings from the corpses.

First of all it was not a number item.

So is it a magic tool?

“Marone Gowland.”

Feeling the need to check I asked the wizards for an appraisal. It didn’t take long for the results to come out.

“It’s a dependent magic tool. “The moment you put the ring on it disappears and becomes part of your soul.”

“Subordinate magic tool?”

“You know what. The summoning engraving used when summoning a ship in the ocean on the 6th floor. “That is one of the representative subordinate magic tools.”

“Then… this ring….”

“yes. It’s a subspace ring. “It is several times beyond the level of general magicology.”

For some reason none of the corpses were wearing subspace rings or bracelets.

“Usually these type of subordinate magic tools leave traces like tattoos but this one doesn’t have anything like that. Looking at it it looks like a detection nullification circuit has also been engraved on it.”

“Does that mean that even the royal family cannot know of the existence of this subspace?”

“yes. “Maybe so?”

The jackpot hit.

***

I don’t know what’s inside this dependent subspace.

But one thing is certain.

Even if you haven’t heard anything it’s a hit.

That’s because if you have this ring you don’t have to throw away all of the Rose Knight’s equipment.

“Take everything!”

I gathered all of the Rose Knights’ equipment and put it in my backpack.

Well if you organize it like this and put it in subspace as soon as you return to the city how will those bastards know?

‘The problem is that there are only seven subspaces….’

Currently we have a total of 10 people.

3 people cannot have this ring.

However surprisingly the distribution of subspace was completed in an instant without any dispute.

“…This is too big of an item for me to receive since I did nothing in this battle.”

James Calla who could not participate in the battle due to being blind abstained.

“I’ll give in too. “I already have a dependent subspace.”

“me too.”

Akuraba and Ravien who already had a similar item gave in.

That’s how the owner was decided.

“The character is wearing a liar’s rose ring.”

「The Liar’s Rose Ring will belong to the character.」

A ring that scatters light and disappears as soon as you wear it.

“How do I open subspace?”

“Brainwave recognition. “If you think about opening subspace it will open.”

Is this like the royal family’s latest technology?

It will be very useful in the future.

“Well then the settlement is roughly over.”

Soon the collection of belongings and loot was completed.

“The frozen wall is melting.”

As the day went by as soon as the secret situation ended we all left the battlefield together.

Although food came out of the Rose Knights’ backpacks it was not enough to feed ten people.

“Versil Gowland cast the level 6 space-time magic [Higher Distortion].”

“Lilith Marone casted the level 6 space-time magic [Higher Distortion].”

After supplying as much monster meat as possible the destination I headed to was the snow of the glacier.

but….

“It’s a shame. “If I had been able to take back all the items down here it wouldn’t have been a stretch to buy the Imperial Mansion.”

The glacier mage Karia Dea was holding out so hard that she had to return.

How much equipment is buried down there?

I don’t know but the moment the labyrinth is closed everything will disintegrate in the air.

“Okay let’s call it a day and rest here.”

Although it was important to have a supply of meat we did not move quickly and took breaks as often as possible.

Anyway I’m not going to starve to death for the rest of the day…

The condition of the crew was also not good.

“Is Kaislan okay?”

“It’s okay don’t worry too much. “I can hold out long enough until I get out.”

There was no fuse and only four bottles of potions.

Everyone survived but for some who suffered serious injuries the aftermath is still evident.

Erwen is unable to use a single skill as both his MP and natural power are exhausted.

There are only a few people who can fight safely.

“Still… Is it because of what happened? “I don’t feel like it’s difficult at all…”

“Ah I agree.”

“I thought I had experienced pretty much everything in my life but looking back it seems like it was all just thoughts of resentment.”

We chatted like this during breaks but mostly we discussed the future.

“Are you going to create a clan right away?”

“maybe. But it won’t be until later that everyone comes in.”

“Well… Lord Kaislan is from the military. “It won’t come out easily.”

“It’s the same even if it’s not Kaislan. Because it’s strange that we suddenly come together. I guess I’ll have to give it some time. If we wait anyway they will kick us out first and it is not too late to unite later.”

“…Hey I was thinking about the clan emblem.”

“Wow Ms. Marone you’re very dexterous aren’t you?”

Of course the clan we will create in the future.

From the start of the expedition until now.

We wrote the scenario according to the timeline aligned the words and if there were any inconsistencies or concerns we discussed them together and improved the level of completion.

“I have one thing to worry about Yandel.”

“Tell me.”

“No matter how much we agree will the royal family really believe everything we say?”

“….”

“It has been confirmed that we are all resistant to verification magic but that is not the only way to find out the truth.”

This part was something I also thought about a lot.

When they didn’t believe us.

When I had at least a little doubt and decided to check the facts and move on.

What should we do?

“As I said before there is no reason for the royal family to do something like that. “You don’t want to scratch that area and make a mess.”

“Yes… that’s usually the case. Asking such a question itself gives us a reason to doubt… But what if we take that on?”

“Still… it doesn’t matter. “In the first place the point of this plan is not to deceive the royal family.”

Plan A is the best but not to the extent that Plan B is all ruined.

“yes? “What does that mean?”

“The fact that we even matched our words and stayed silent is itself a signal to them. We’ll just move on so please don’t mess with us in the future. “It’s like a request from the weak.”

This is an incident that involves the Duke and Marquis the minor noble association Alminus Company and the Explorers Guild.

Even if they suspect something happened in the labyrinth they will not try to confirm it and even if they do it is highly likely that they will not throw out unreasonable numbers again.

Before that happens I will increase my work as much as possible.

If everyone’s attention is focused they will probably be a little more careful.

Like that time when they gave me a noble title without verification.

That’s the royal family’s way of doing things.

“So we have to grow more in that time. “To make turning a blind eye seem like a much better option than messing with us.”

“But wouldn’t that make it more dangerous? “The bigger we get the more wary they will be of us.”

“Well I don’t think so.”

“Why?”

“No matter how big we grow we are only a small candle in front of the royal family.”

The power of the royal family is enormous.

Normal people wouldn’t think of pulling a sword on the royal family.

Therefore…

“They’ll think he’s just struggling to survive and not think we’re getting ready to put a knife in his throat.”

Just one trip to the labyrinth.

These are crew members who had never even seen each other before.

Who would think that they would go against the royal family to seek revenge?

Sadness and anger are just fleeting emotions.

Usually we are grateful to have survived and make realistic decisions.

but….

“But just in case.”

Although Akuraba was somewhat convinced by my words he suggested the worst possibility.

“But what if… they think we’re a problem and try to get rid of us?”

The answer is simple.

What can I do?

Then I have to go to plan C.

***

Day 75 of entering the labyrinth.

To be more precise.

[22:10]

There are only less than 4 hours left until the long-awaited labyrinth closes.

“what?”

Bersil Gowland sat down next to me while I was resting and suddenly asked.

“Hey Mr. Yandel Ms. Naria must have been an evil spirit right?”

“It’s probably very likely right?”

“Of course… I guess so…?”

Versil muttered something and since he had nothing to say I just stayed quiet. It was after a moment of silence that Versil spoke again.

“Um… Then Mr. Yandel what do you think about Miss Naria?”

A question full of caution.

“I think it was a colleague who unfortunately passed away. But… what on earth do you want to ask?”

“Let me change the question. “If Miss Naria were still alive would you still consider her a colleague?”

Although I could vaguely see the intent of the question I answered honestly.

“Of course.”

“…Even if it’s an evil spirit?”

“Why do you care about that when you have decided to be hostile to the royal family anyway? I don’t care if it’s an evil spirit or something. “The only thing that matters is whether or not he is trustworthy.”

“…okay.”

Bersil nodded his head with a strange expression chatted a few more words and then left.

Well what on earth was this guy’s purpose?

Were you just curious about what kind of person I was?

‘Sure didn’t they find out that the goblin was an evil spirit? So he was wondering what I was going to do with him?’

I thought it was a pretty plausible hypothesis.

At least until Amelia pulled me aside about two hours later.

“I think I’d like to talk to Yandel for a moment.”

“Did something happen?”

“Because of the work you gave me before.”

I couldn’t help but tilt my head.

“Are you saying this is something I entrusted to you?”

“Didn’t I tell you to investigate Sven Farab’s background?”

Oh that?

I definitely made that request.

Because I don’t feel safe at all when I see the careless actions shown at the round table. I planned to watch closely and manage it strictly.

but….

“You meant going outside…?”

It wasn’t even a word of background investigation; it was a gentle request asking if they could watch closely.

But what is this again?

“Then I guess I should be thankful that I misunderstood.”

Amelia chuckled and shrugged her shoulders.

An attitude that seems to suggest that she has some good skills.

She came to her senses for an instant.

“I guess you found something?”

“…If you’re curious check it out with your own eyes.”

Saying that Amelia unfastened her belt.

Although she was quite embarrassed by her sudden outburst she soon realized that Amelia was fiddling with her belt and pulling out one of her small crystal balls from inside.

“This is…”

“It’s a recording ball.”

No I don’t know that.

It’s just surprising that something like this was hidden in the belt I always wore.

‘…If I make fun of you for being a voyeur you’ll get punished right?’

I struggled to resist that desire and activated the crystal ball that Amelia gave me.

I decided that it would be a priority to look at this first.

[…blah blah blah.]

The beginning of the video was Sven Farab secretly chewing beef jerky hidden in his jacket away from the group.

The feeling of betrayal rose to the top of my head.

“This bastard clearly said he didn’t have anything like frozen beef jerky for me—.”

“Be quiet and just watch. “It’s coming out soon.”

“….”

As soon as she closed her mouth in Amelia’s admonishing tone a change occurred in the video.

[Mr. Sven Farab.]

A woman approaches a man who has his back turned and speaks to him.

[Hi!]

A guy who is surprised to be caught eating beef jerky.

[Can we talk for a moment?]

Surprisingly the woman who spoke to her was Versil but Sven Farab just glanced around with a somewhat uncomfortable look in his eyes and did not respond.

[Oh I’ll tell you in advance I don’t plan on telling anyone about beef jerky so don’t worry. I just want to talk for a moment.]

[…Can’t we do it next time?]

[Does this mean you don’t want to talk to me?]

[Oh no that’s not it… Something just doesn’t feel right…]

[You are speaking something incomprehensible.]

Bersil tilted her head as if she didn’t understand his expression but I was just impressed.

‘Could it be that you intuitively felt that Amelia was watching you?’

Inexplicably the video continued to play.

[Anyway I’ll just get to the point and end it briefly.]

[yes? Oh yes… please speak. I will listen.]

[I know that person is an evil spirit.]

Just a one-line sentence.

“…uh.”

[…uh?]

At that one word both I and Sven Farab in the video made blank expressions at the same time.

and….

[…Oops! Wow!]

[Be quiet. I’ll be interested over there.]

[But what are you talking about! I’m an evil spirit…!]

The bombshell didn’t stop there.

[Don’t think about running away. Because I am also an evil spirit.]

Are you coming out in this crazy place?

[…yes? Uh uh… Mr. Gowland… an evil spirit…?]

Sven Farab was completely entranced.

Gowland looked at the guy and spoke calmly.

[The reason I said this is simple. I thought that with your personality you might make some mistakes in the community.]

[Uh uh…]

[Don’t even think about saying a word about this expedition. Because I will be watching. Whether on a community bulletin board or a round table.]

Boom-!

There were no such sound effects but it felt like they were heard in my and Sven Farab’s ears.

[Whoa round table? How do you get there….]

[Well I’m also a member there you understand? How was I supposed to know that you were an evil spirit in the first place?]

[Now wait a minute… Is there a woman… a female queen? No it doesn’t feel that way…]

Sven Farab who had been rambling to calm his mind soon raised his finger high.

[No way… you… a fox…?]

At the end of that scene I stopped the video.

‘Bersil Gowland was a fox….’

It was another harvest from this expedition.

***

“The labyrinth has been closed.”

“The character moves to Lapdonia.”

***

Warm sunlight.

The Marquis who was sitting at the desk working put down his pen and held a cup of hot tea in one hand.

Then he took a sip and checked the time.

‘It’s almost time for the portal to open.’

There are 5 minutes left until 12pm.

Soon the labyrinth will close and the empty Dimension Square will be filled with explorers who have completed their arduous journey.

It was probably a sight he saw every month but today was special to him.

“I hope the mission is successful.”

The Eye of the Sky was Noark’s core strategic weapon.

An expedition of thirty people was hastily assembled to destroy it.

“It doesn’t matter if I fail.”

The Marquis had already prepared documents for two cases.

One was a document prepared for when the mission was successful but the expedition team did not survive and the other was for when the mission was not successful and no one survived.

For reference there were no documents with survival in mind.

It’s just that he has a cautious personality but he doesn’t have a hobby of making meaningless efforts.

“Now I feel like the tooth I was suffering from has fallen out.”

The Marquis chuckled and put down his teacup.

And he picked up the pen again and began to look at the backlog of work.

A little over 10 minutes had passed like that.

Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

The message stone placed in the office vibrated.

The location of the call is a checkpoint close to the marquis.

“What’s going on?”

It didn’t take long for the Marquis’ face to frown after receiving the call.

[…I’m sorry you’re busy. People claiming to be the royal family’s special forces have appeared.]

“…Special forces?”

[Oh yes… You don’t know? sorry. All of these people’s social statuses are too formidable to just talk nonsense…]

“So something like that happened….”

[yes. Among them the man who appears to be the representative is yelling at me to quickly contact the Marquis… What should I do?]

“Is that so? I understand. I’ll send someone out soon so keep him there. Oh by the way… how many people were there?”

[Ten people… exactly ten people.]

“I see. “I understand.”

Soon the Marquis cut off contact speaking in a friendly voice.

and….

JEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

I tore up both documents on the table and burned them.

“Ten people….”

I don’t know what kind of trick was used though.

“Things are going well.”

Those who were supposed to die came back alive.